Debbie P - Story from a Hajka owner
Name
Debbie P
Country
USA
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What camping stove do you use with your Hajka oven?
Firebox with gas attachment
What do you like most about your Hajka oven?
I have been looking for years for a type of oven to use while camping. I even looked into switching our microwave for a small convention oven for our Expedition Aliner. Turns out it would be too large and also heat up the camper. I then looked into the Omni oven but didn’t like the hole in the middle. While I was searching on YouTube, I found a YouTuber who was using the Hajka oven as a test model. I loved the idea of a small round oven used over a small flame. I also was interested in the pizza stone. So, I ordered it and waited. I have used it many times now making all gluten free options. Carrot cake, chocolate cake, lasagna, butternut squash cake, macaroni and cheese, meatloaf, and pizza. My husband and brother have been amazed of the tenderness and taste of the recipes. They can’t believe that they are gluten free. I have had no problem with the bottom burning nor the middle not cooking through.
Which one of the Hajka accessories is your favorite? And why?
My go to usually is the nonstick baking tin but the pizza steel is amazing too.
Do you have any clever hacks or tips for using the Hajka oven?
I have baked in the oven with a small square baking pan because the baking tin already had something cooking in it. I want to try to use the baking tin with parchment paper and prepare an entree just short of baking it, then freeze it inside the tin. Once frozen take it out of the tin and keep frozen in a plastic bag. It will hold the shape frozen. And then doing this with several other recipes as well. Once camping then all I need to do is to take one of the prepared baking entrees out of the freezer, pop it into the baking tin , give some time to defrost, and let the oven do the work. Another tip is to get all the dry ingredients for baking a specific dessert together and place in a plastic or silicone bag. Also put the recipe written in the bag, and then to be sure to bring the wet ingredients along. No measuring is needed and baking becomes easy while camping. I have found that for baking with the firebox and the attached gas lighter using butane the flame needs to be at its lowest level. The firebox is very study and no worry of tipping.
Your favourite dish in the Hajka?
Lasagna
Would you recommend it to other campers? Why?
Yes!!!!!!! The oven adds a form of cooking that is really impossible any other way. Imagine homemade pizza at camp! The pizza tin is small so be prepared to bake another while eating the first. Also when you are camping in fire restricted areas, this will work great for a level up meal. Forget the dehydrated packaged meals!
What’s your most memorable moment using the Hajka?
The first time that we used it. I was expecting a burned bottom of cornbread. And wow!!!! It was perfectly baked. I was then mentally making a list of the next baking items to try. And surprising my husband who really was not hopeful of success.
Anything else you want to add? Whatever! (optional)
I have not tried baking a pie and so next time out, this February,( Florida camping!) I will try it out.
